This module introduces the student to advanced topics in crystallography and mineral physics, in particular the use of X-ray and neutron diffraction to determine mineral structures and the effects of crystal symmetry on physical properties.
Coordinator: Prof Ian Wood
- Module Details
Title Earth and Planetary Materials UG Code GEOL0026 Coordinator Prof Ian Wood Other Contributors Prof G.D. Price (for Part 2c), Dr K.S. Knight (CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory) Term 1 Credits 15 Written Exam 60% Coursework 40%
Those taking parts 2b or 2c will be required to write an extended essay (32% of the total mark for the course).
Pre-Requisites Maths & Stats Content and Requirement Total Number of Hours of Student Work 188 hours Hours of Lectures/Seminars 16 (for Part 1): 8 (for Part 2a) Hours of Practicals/Problem Classes 10 (for Part 1): 4 (for Part 2a) Hours of Tutorials 4 (for either Part 2b or Part 2c) Days of Fieldwork 0 Other None Categorizing Studnet Performance Levels - Content
The course has a common first-half which provides an introduction to the methods of crystallography and crystal structure determination. This is followed by one of three streams covering either: (a) crystal physics and its applications to Earth and Planetary forming materials, (b) structures and properties of environmental minerals, such as clays and zeolites, or (c) applications of mineralogy to rock-forming minerals.
AIMS
To introduce the student to advanced topics in crystallography and mineral physics; i.e., the structures and properties of Earth and planetary materials.
OUTCOMES
Part 1: Knowledge and understanding of the techniques of X-ray and neutron diffraction; and
Part 2: Either
- The application of these methods, and the use of crystal physics, to the determination of thermoelastic and structural properties of Earth and planetary forming materials;
- the structures and properties of minerals in surface environments and their environmental and economic importance;
- the structures and properties of rock-forming minerals and their applications in geology, e.g. phase equilibria, geobarometry, etc.